Cuyahoga Valley Crossroads-National Park Scenic
Cuyahoga Valley Crossroads
National Park Scenic
By Giles Kennedy
Family and Travel Columnist
Nestled in Northeast Ohio; between Cleveland and Akron, has Ohio's only National Park.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park; which has the only scenic railroad run in the heart of the property.
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
https://www.cvsr.org/plan-your-visit/rides
https://www.cvsr.org/plan-your-visit/train-schedule
https://www.cvsr.org/plan-your-visit/stations-maps
The Railroad is opened year round; but its prime time is May to October.
It offers the National Park Scenic; a various stop or full length experience if you wish.
Saturdays and Sundays before Memorial Day; it features this service as an ability to hike or explore the National Park.
Featured trailheads and stations of the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail (which winds along the railroad and the river) include Akron Northside Station, Peninsula and Rockside Station have ticket agents for train ride tickets.
Tickets range from coach seats to more luxury style passenger seating ($20-38).
The vintage passenger cars with classic diesel electric locomotives wind the the 24 mile right of way.
If you should to explore the park; "flag stops" are offered at various points of the line. Simply wave both hands in the air to signal the crew to stop.
Various points of interest outside of the key ticket stations are as followed.
Canal Exploration Station
https://www.nps.gov/cuva/learn/historyculture/canal-exploration-center.htm
It features interpretive buildings, docents and select times of the year, a working lock from the days of the Ohio and Erie Canal.
Brecksville Station
https://www.nps.gov/places/000/station-road-bridge-trailhead.htm
Near Cleveland Metroparks Brecksville Reservation; the trails connect with the city park and the National Park. A large parking lot is adjcent to the train station, trails and a horse riding path.
Boston Mill Visitor Center
https://www.nps.gov/cuva/boston-mill-visitor-center.htm
https://www.nps.gov/cuva/learn/village-of-boston.htm
This acts as the main Cuyahoga Valley National Park visitors center. It also is nearby art galleries, trails and small shops.
Peninsula
This long time staple and considered the heart of the park; featuring local eateries, "Trail Mix" Park Store and the CVSR Ticket Office and Station.
https://www.nps.gov/cuva/village-of-peninsula.htm
Indigo Lake
While the station stop is "modern", west of the station; Hale Farm is historic and interpretive.
https://www.wrhs.org/plan-visit/places-to-visit/hale-farm-village
This is a separate site within the National Park; ran by the Western Reserve Historical Society.
It features a 19th century family farm with animals, crafters and a working farm property.
Many other attractions grace the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail which follows the Railroad and river.
https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/ohio-and-erie-canal-towpath-trail.htm
While there are themed rides, special events and more throughout the year; the National Park Scenic ticket package gives you the freedom to explore.
Or, you can do like I did; let the Railroad do the exploring for you.
A full video from our partners at Crossroads OVR Media is featured on their YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09X_AiJuKD8
As always, remember..Life is an adventure. Get out there and live it!
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